wrxplayer
Well-known member
[Tokai, Greco, Burny, Ampeg content below. Hope that's OK in the Tokai folder.]
I've realized a few hard facts recently:
1. I can't afford a collection of boutique and/or custom shop American guitars.
2. I really do enjoy owning/playing a variety of instruments, even if only in my "playroom" an hour a day.
I also learned over the last two years that there are some wonderfully made and sounding guitars from Japan that rival those made by the Fenders and Gibson of the world and, for the most part, they're a boatload less expensive.
So... I set out to reduce my investment in expensive US guitars while still keeping my fingers happy in the multi-guitar game.
Initially I thought I could do so and have a Tokai LS150 represent the Gibson/Les Paul corner but $1200 was too much for me to have invested in one guitar so I just sold it.
I then sought to replace it with a great guitar costing half as much. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on one's view) I replaced it with two guitars (as a result I will sell off my last "boutique American" and a DR Z amp).
The net result? I've got a stable of four great MIJ guitars (the "Gibsons" still on the way) and have invested in them less than I sold my CS Telecaster for two months ago (although to be fair that guitar is my all time favorite).
The stable includes: a Greco SE600 (purchased here) which holds its own against most vintage style strats and an Ampeg AMG1 (a real sleeper especially w/ an upgraded bridge) that occupies the "junior" space quite nicely.
On the way are a Greco SS63-60 SG and a Burny FB-90 Firebird. Pictures of my Japanese stringed harem are below.
/bfb1.jpg[/IMG]
I've realized a few hard facts recently:
1. I can't afford a collection of boutique and/or custom shop American guitars.
2. I really do enjoy owning/playing a variety of instruments, even if only in my "playroom" an hour a day.
I also learned over the last two years that there are some wonderfully made and sounding guitars from Japan that rival those made by the Fenders and Gibson of the world and, for the most part, they're a boatload less expensive.
So... I set out to reduce my investment in expensive US guitars while still keeping my fingers happy in the multi-guitar game.
Initially I thought I could do so and have a Tokai LS150 represent the Gibson/Les Paul corner but $1200 was too much for me to have invested in one guitar so I just sold it.
I then sought to replace it with a great guitar costing half as much. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on one's view) I replaced it with two guitars (as a result I will sell off my last "boutique American" and a DR Z amp).
The net result? I've got a stable of four great MIJ guitars (the "Gibsons" still on the way) and have invested in them less than I sold my CS Telecaster for two months ago (although to be fair that guitar is my all time favorite).
The stable includes: a Greco SE600 (purchased here) which holds its own against most vintage style strats and an Ampeg AMG1 (a real sleeper especially w/ an upgraded bridge) that occupies the "junior" space quite nicely.
On the way are a Greco SS63-60 SG and a Burny FB-90 Firebird. Pictures of my Japanese stringed harem are below.
